US Rapidly Increasing Egg Imports to Combat High Prices

The U.S. has almost doubled egg imports from Brazil and is considering relaxing regulations for eggs laid by chickens raised for meat. The moves come as the Trump administration is trying to lower record-high egg prices caused by avian influenza.

USDA has also made arrangements with Turkey and South Korea to import more eggs, and has asked the European Union for additional egg imports as well.

None of the Brazilian or broiler chicken eggs will make it to the grocery store, but they could be used in more processed foods like cake mixes, ice cream, or salad dressing, freeing up more fresh eggs for American shoppers.

Even though the U.S. egg supply is on the rise, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says that the busy Easter holiday season typically creates a significant spike in egg demand, which could also send the price of eggs climbing back higher.

“We also recognize the Easter is just a few short weeks away and demand is always unusually high during the season. So, while we are noting today that prices are exponentially down and we’re really encouraged by that, there is always a possibility of those prices could take back up,” says Rollins.

Source: NAFB News Service